This page helps users with a case search in Santa Clara County, California, by explaining how to use court case information, request copies, and follow up with the right court office.

The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara provides a Case Information Portal for public case lookups, with additional clerk office options when online information is not enough.

Use the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara Public Portal to search available case information online. The portal supports several search paths, so choose the one that best matches the information you already have.

  • Case number, using five to sixteen alpha-numeric characters
  • Party first name and last name
  • Business name
  • Filing date range of no more than five days, plus case type

After gathering the best search details, use the public portal to run the search and review the available case information.

  • Open the search the Santa Clara County Public Portal page.
  • Select case number, party, business, or filing date search.
  • Enter the required search details for that option.
  • Review the results and note the case number before requesting copies or hearing reminders.

Online case information coverage

The searchable Case Information Portal includes civil, small claims, probate, some family, traffic, local ordinance, and criminal cases. Public users may search and view court records that are open to inspection when they are available online.

Online access does not mean every document is available through the portal. Case documents such as filings are not generally available online, and availability varies by case type and by law.

Public records that are open to inspection may also be viewed in person at public access terminals located at the courthouse.

Case documents and copy requests

For copies of case documents, request records from the Clerk’s Office. Fees may apply, and certified copies require a separate request. If court staff conducts the search, provide as much detail as possible to avoid a search fee.

  • Case number
  • Case name or full party names
  • Title of each document requested
  • Filing date of each document, if known
  • Self-addressed stamped envelope for mailed requests

Copies of pleadings must be obtained from the courthouse where the case was filed, either in person or by mailing a request. Checks should be made payable to the Superior Court. If the total fee is unknown, the court allows a check marked “Not to exceed” a specified amount.

The Clerk charges $0.50 per page for copies obtained from the Clerk. Certified copies and some research requests have additional fees.

Criminal case records

For criminal case records, the case number is required before the Clerk can locate or copy public records. Cases filed in 2004 or later can be searched through the criminal case index search. Earlier cases are not in the online index and may require courthouse microfiche review.

Criminal records are filed at different courthouse locations depending on the area and case type. The Hall of Justice handles criminal matters for San Jose, Milpitas, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, and Santa Clara. South County Courthouse handles San Martin, Morgan Hill, and Gilroy. Palo Alto Courthouse handles Cupertino, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale.

Not all criminal case documents are public. Restricted items include arrest reports that list victim information, probation reports, domestic violence protective orders, Own Recognizance reports, criminal history information, and financial or medical information.

Bulk civil and criminal case indexes

The court offers separate bulk index options for civil and criminal case information. These are for users who need case index data instead of a single case lookup.

The Civil Case Index includes case number, title, file date, disposition date, status, case type, party information, counsel information, motion and order information, and scheduled event information. The data reflects information through the last complete quarter before the request and is provided in tab-delimited ASCII text format.

The Criminal Case Index CD includes case number, filing date, and party name. Civil and criminal bulk index requests may not be made by the same individual or organization more than once per calendar quarter.

Bulk index data is not the official court record and is provided for reference use.

Hearing reminders and court schedules

After finding a case number, users may sign up for the Hearing Reminder Service to receive text or email reminders. Reminder options include two weeks before the hearing, two days before the hearing, or both.

Use the court’s Hearing Reminder Service instructions if you need help creating an account, accepting the consent agreement, entering the case number, and choosing reminder preferences.

The public portal also provides court calendar options for Civil, Probate, Family, Juvenile, Traffic, Criminal - Hall of Justice, Criminal - South County, and Criminal - Palo Alto calendars.

Photographing court records at the courthouse

Effective January 1, 2026, a person entitled to view an electronic court record may use a personal camera or cell phone camera to photograph the record as a copying method. This applies only when the record may be viewed and only for copying court records.

Camera or recording equipment use may still be restricted in courtrooms, secure areas, or as directed by court staff or judicial officers. Confidential, sealed, or restricted records may not be photographed.

Reporter transcripts and electronic recordings

For transcripts or electronic recordings, use the court’s transcript and recording request process. Court Services contacts requesters with the cost after a completed request is received.

The court charges $10.00 per disc for an electronic recording. Transcript pricing is provided by the court reporter after the request is reviewed. For urgent transcript or recording requests, mark the request “RUSH” or include that note in the online form comment box.

For additional instructions, review the court’s request a reporter transcript or electronic recording page.

Case search contacts

Use the court division contact that matches the case type or record need.

  • Main Number
    Phone: (408) 882-2700
  • Civil Clerk’s Office, 191 North First St., San Jose
    Phone: (408) 882-2100
    Email: sscivilinfo@scscourt.org
  • Civil Records Unit, 191 North First St., San Jose
    Phone: (408) 882-2450
    Email: sscivilinfo@scscourt.org
  • Hall of Justice Clerk’s Office, 190-200 W. Hedding St., San Jose
    Phone: (408) 808-6611
    Email: sscriminfo@scscourt.org
    Records inquiries: sscriminalrecords@scscourt.org
  • Palo Alto Clerk’s Office, 270 Grant Ave., Palo Alto
    Phone: (650) 462-3810
    Email: sscriminfo@scscourt.org
  • South County Clerk’s Office, 301 Diana Ave., Morgan Hill
    Phone: (408) 695-5014
    Email: sscriminfo@scscourt.org
  • Family Clerk’s Office Records Unit, 201 North First Street, San Jose
    Phone: (408) 534-5711
    Email: ssfamilyinfo@scscourt.org
  • Probate Clerk’s Office, 191 North First St., San Jose
    Phone: (408) 882-2654
    Email: ssprobinfo@scscourt.org
  • Small Claims Clerk’s Office, 191 North First St., San Jose
    Phone: (408) 882-2352
    Email: sssclaimsinfo@scscourt.org
  • Court Services
    Phone: (408) 882-2515
    Email: transcripts@scscourt.org
  • Technical webpage problems
    Email: ssweb@scscourt.org

Common questions

Where do I search Santa Clara County case information online?

Use the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara Public Portal case search to look up available case information by case number, party name, business name, or filing date.

Are case documents available online?

Case documents such as filings are not generally available online. To obtain copies, request them from the Clerk’s Office for the courthouse where the case was filed.

What if I do not know the criminal case number?

For criminal cases filed in 2004 or later, use the criminal case index search. For older cases, visit the Clerk’s Office where the case was filed or request a staff search by letter with the defendant’s name, date of birth, and years to be searched.

Can I get certified copies of court records?

Yes. Ask for certified copies when submitting the copy request. Certification fees apply, and the request should identify the case number, parties, and documents needed.

Can I photograph court records at the courthouse?

Effective January 1, 2026, people who are entitled to view an electronic court record may photograph the record as a copying method. The permission is limited to copying records and does not allow other camera or recording uses in restricted court areas.

How do I get hearing reminders?

Use the Hearing Reminder Service after you have the case number. The service can send text or email reminders two weeks before the hearing, two days before the hearing, or both.